Planning & Decision Making
Plans are made by individuals, their families and support networks to help them achieve their goals. Plans usually include a combination of support from family and friends and community resources, in addition to other services that may provide funding, such as CLBC.
This section includes resources and organizations who can provide you with helpful information about planning as you age.
Advance Care Planning
Advance care planning means thinking ahead and writing down what you want for your healthcare if you can’t decide for yourself later. It includes what you’d like if you’re in the hospital, have an accident or are near the end of your life.
Read about Advance Care Planning here.
Advance Care Planning - Regional Health Authorities
B.C.’s regional health authorities all have some information on advance care planning. For more information, visit the links below:
Advance Care Planning Video
Disability Alliance BC (DABC)
Disability Alliance BC (DABC) supports people with a disabilities in many ways. Services and programs, advocacy, free resources and partnerships are all ways DABC can help. There is easy-to-understand information on how to apply for BC Disability Benefits (PWD), as well as help with applying for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) and the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). DABC also has a Disability Law Clinic.
Visit the Disability Alliance BC website here to learn more.
Late Life Planning
Late Life Planning means making sure things that are important to you now are a part of your life as you get older. This Late Life Planning guide goes over topics that are important to think about as you age and near the end of your life. Topics in the guide include; how to plan, positive relationships, health care, legal matters and looking after your money.
Read the Late Life Planning Guide here to learn more.
Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment
A medical order for scope of treatment (MOST) is a decision that is made with guidance from your doctor regarding levels and types of healthcare actions that you may need in the future. It is referred to as an “order” which must come from a doctor or nurse practitioner. A MOST form is used only by healthcare professionals.
For medical orders for scope of treatment information and resources from your health authority, click on the links below.
My Voice – Expressing my Wishes for Future Health Care Treatment
No Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Form
A do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order is a legal document. It means a person has decided not to have cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) attempted on them if their heart or breathing stops.
Anyone who changes their wishes about their no CPR preference, should inform their doctor, nurse practitioner or care facility nurse, tear up the No CPR form, and contact MedicAlert if they are enrolled with them for a No CPR bracelet or necklet.
Find the No Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Form here.
Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN)
WayFinders
WayFinders is a free program with no waiting list that provides person-centred planning and resource information for families anywhere in the province. A WayFinders facilitator will help families and individuals come up with a plan for a rich, inclusive and meaningful life that is driven by the individual’s interests and desires along with strategies to make the plan a reality.
Visit the WayFinders website here.
Representation Agreements
Nidus - Representation Agreement Overview Factsheet
This is a helpful factsheet about Representation Agreements.
A Representation Agreement (RA) is a special legal document in British Columbia that helps adults who might need someone to help them make decisions. It gives a person, called a representative, the ability to help with important choices about health, personal matters and sometimes money.
Read the Representation Agreement Overview Factsheet here.
Nidus - Representation Agreement Section 7 (R7) Factsheet
The Representation Agreement Section 7 (R7) is for adults who have cognitive disabilities and may need assistance with important decisions. The RA7 grants powers to a representative to support financial matters, legal affairs like hiring a lawyer, minor and major health care decisions including medical treatments, and personal care choices such as living arrangements and daily activities.
Read the Representation Agreement Section 7 (R7) Factsheet here.
Nidus - Representation Agreement Section 9 (R9) Factsheet
The Representation Agreement Section 9 (R9) is for adults who most likely do not live with cognitive abilities and may need assistance with important decisions.
It gives someone, like a trusted family member or friend, the power to make big decisions about your health and personal care. This means they can decide things like what kind of medical treatments you get, where you live if you can’t decide for yourself, and even what happens if you’re very sick and might not get better. You can also write down exactly how you want things to be done in the agreement, but you have to understand what it all means before you can make this kind of agreement. It’s important because it makes sure your wishes are followed even if you can’t make these choices later on.
Read the Representation Agreement Section 9 (R9) Factsheet here.
